135 research outputs found
Gender differences in computer literacy among undergraduate students at the University of Botswana: implications for library use
No full textThis paper, presents findings of a study that was carried out in January 2006 at the University of Botswana to determine gender differences amongst undergraduates students across all disciplines with regard to computer literacy. Five hundred students were surveyed of which 300 were females while 200 were male. The proportion of female to male students at the University of Botswana is 53%:47%. Purposive sampling was used to select respondents from the six faculties of the Universitya survey questionnaire was administered to them and collected on its completion. Descriptive statistics and t-test were employed in the analysis of data. The results suggest that gender differences exist between female and male undergraduate students at the University of Botswana with regard to
computer literacy. The findings further revealed that students with higher computer literacy were more inclined to access and make use of library facilities. Moreover, differences exist in the respondents computer usage and software application. The paper discusses the implications of these results on the students use of library
Undergraduate students' knowledge of copyright infringement
Get PDFThis study examined undergraduate students’ knowledge of copyright infringement at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted. Three hundred and seventy-two (372) undergraduate students randomly selected from twelve universities constituted the sample for the study. Four research questions were developed and answered and data was collected through a self-designed questionnaire. The findings demonstrate that the majority of the respondents are aware of copyright infringement and have strong perception that copyright infringement is a form of intellectual dishonesty. In addition, the results indicate that downloading content from the internet without permission from the owner is the major way through which undergraduates mostly infringed on the copyright. The findings also show that high cost of textbook is a contributing factor that leads students to infringe on copyright law, followed by scarcity of materials, fear of scoring poor marks, lack of awareness and overarching curricula while the desire to defy authority had the least influence. The increasing awareness of copyright law and possible punishment for violating the law was rated as the most fundamental way of reducing copyright infringement. The only hypothesis tested in the study revealed a significant difference in the perception of undergraduate students on copyright infringement based on their academic level with (Chi Cal. = 740.85, df=16, chi table= 26.30 at 0.05 level of significant difference). Upon these findings, the study recommends that author and publishers should try to reduce the cost of their textbooks. In addition, libraries in higher institutions should be well equipped with enough and relevant printed/literary resources. These should be readily available and accessible to the students when needed, in order to help reducing the rate of piracy and photocopying in higher institutions
The factors determining knowledge sharing intention among information professionals in Nigeria
Get PDFRationale of Study - Several studies have considered the factors determining the knowledge sharing intention among employees. However, studies focusing on information professionals and factors determining their knowledge sharing intention through a path model are either limited or been ignored.
Methodology - In this study, the researcher developed and tested a path model that explains the factors that determine the intention of information professionals in Nigeria to share knowledge with their colleagues through a survey design.
Findings - The results revealed that a correlation exists between the overall knowledge sharing intention score and the other knowledge sharing intention factors. The results demonstrate that citizenship behaviour had the highest correlation with knowledge sharing intention (r = 0.852). This is followed by creativity and innovation (r=0.704), and interaction frequency (r = 0.558). The results of the regression of knowledge sharing intention on the ten related factors show an adjusted R-square value of 0.661, and an F-ratio of 105.37; the latter of which is significant at 0.05 level (0.000 < 0.05). These indicate that the ten independent variables jointly (as indicated by the R-square value) explained 76.5% of the variations in the knowledge sharing intention by the information professionals.
Implications - The research findings have a big bearing on policy formulation and decision making in information and knowledgeorganisations, the public and private information sector players, professional associations and information and knowledge training institutions.
Originality - This research has a great value in the sense that it is one of the pioneer studies on information sharing in the context of information research in Nigeria
University of Botswana Undergraduates Uses of the Internet: Implications on Academic Performance
No full textThe recognized potential of technology to improve education has led to several initiatives to foster effective use and integration in the curriculum. The Internet as a new invented technology holds the greatest promise humanity has known for learning and universal access to quality education. It allows students to broaden their academic experience, access important information and communicate to others within academic community. In the light of these therefore, this study examined undergraduate’s uses of the Internet and its implications on their academic performance at the University of Botswana, Gaborone. Three hundred and six undergraduate students from thirteen systematically selected departments formed the study sample. A modified Internet Use scale was used to gather data for the study. The data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square and Friedman test. The results indicate that: majority of the respondents (66%) access the Internet 1-5 hours per week, 33.3% of respondents access the Internet 6-20 hours per week and 0.7% of respondents access the Internet between 21-25 hours per week. Moreover, most respondents use the Internet for the purpose of obtaining course related information. The results also reveal that Internet contributes significantly to academic performance of the respondents. To enhance and optimise the use of the Internet so that learning can take place at any time and anywhere, providing more access to computers and the Internet on campus constitutes the major recommendations. Future areas of research could include determining variations in Internet use by students from different disciplines, determining the nature and relationships between Internet use and academic performance
Perception and Experience of Online Learning During COVID-19: Inclusivity of Online Instruction for Undergraduate LIS Students
No full textThis study examined the inclusivity of online education during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspectives of LIS undergraduate students across four Nigerian universities. A quantitative method and survey design were employed, targeting undergraduate library and information science (LIS) students. A purposive selection of 20 students from years two, three, and four in the four universities resulted in a sample of 240 students. Data collection was conducted via a questionnaire distributed through Google Forms to students’ group forums, with the first 60 respondents from each university forming the sample. Of the 240 distributed questionnaires, 232 were returned and used for analysis. The findings revealed that online education during the pandemic was only partially inclusive: 70% of respondents indicated that many students could not participate in most online classes due to a lack of access to compatible technology, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Platforms for online classes included Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, Zoom, Moodle, and social media tools like blogs, Telegram, WhatsApp, and email. Course materials were sent via email and social media, but only 30% of students with access received them. The study concluded that online learning was not inclusive, as 70% of students were sidelined due to a lack of access to necessary devices and internet connectivity. For online learning to be inclusive, all students must be provided with compatible devices and data for connection to live classes. The government must also improve network infrastructure in rural areas to enable participation. This study is pioneering in focusing specifically on the inclusivity of online learning for LIS students during the pandemic
PREDICTORS OF INFORMATION RETRIEVAL EFFECTIVENESS AMONG LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE UNDERGRADUATES IN KWARA STATE UNIVERSITIES
Get PDFIn this information age, it is observed that, as the quantity of information grows the ability of individuals to search and retrieve the needed information decreases in a dramatically manner, which implies that our information retrieval activity lacks effectiveness. It assumed that some factors should be responsible; however, there is no empirical evidence that predict or determine information retrieval effectiveness. This study examined predictors of information retrieval effectiveness among Library and Information Science (LIS) undergraduate students in universities in Kwara State, Nigeria; considered correlation among the predictors of information retrieval effectiveness, identify the best predictive factor of information retrieval effectiveness, and the problems militating against information retrieval effectiveness. A simple random sampling selection of 160 undergraduate students from two universities represent the sample for the study. Through a survey approach, questionnaire was developed and used for the collection of data. Four research questions were developed to guide the study. The results demonstrated that inter-correlation exist among the independent variables/factors and Information Retrieval Effectiveness; in addition, factors such as emotional intelligence, internet self-efficacy, and use of Boolean search operators significantly correlate with and predict information retrieval effectiveness. Similarly, computer self-efficacy has the highest predictive value compare to other variables while emotional intelligence has the least predictive value of information retrieval effectiveness. Based on the findings, the study recommends that, LIS students should be more Computer self-efficacious so that they can be more effective in their information retrieval activities. It was also suggested that students should engage themselves in self-efficacy and computer training. The experience is assumed will go a long way assisting the students thereby enhance and facilitate their information retrieval activities
Perception and Use of E-Collaboration by Postgraduate Students in Nigeria Universities
Get PDFCollaboration in the Nigerian context has focused majorly on traditional collaboration and not even among postgraduate (PG) students. Advancement in technology has ushered many changes, particularly the introduction of numerous e-tools for collaboration. It is based on this that the study examined the perception and use of e-collaboration by postgraduate students in Nigeria Universities. The study adopted a survey design using a questionnaire to collect data from 631 postgraduate students selected across ten universities in South-West Nigeria. Six objectives were developed to guide the study. The results revealed that e-collaboration is perceived by postgraduate students as a collaboration among individuals engaged in a common task using electronic technologies. E-collaboration is used mostly for projects and research and it is impactful in providing opportunities to interact better than face- to-face collaborative activities. The study revealed electronic mail, social media including (Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp), discussion forums and Google documents as the tools most significantly used for e-collaboration. The reasons why respondents use e-collaboration include flexibility, availability, and compatibility with cell phones. The level of awareness about the ethics of e- collaboration is reported to be too low. However, a small percentage were aware that participation in decision-making and the sharing of blame and credit for outcomes is the responsibility of all members. Challenges faced by PG students in their e- collaboration efforts are power failure, lack of trust, and poor internet connection and speed. It is recommended that more awareness of e-collaboration should be promoted and coupled with improved internet connectivity
Predicting Users’ Acceptance of E-Library from the Perspective of Technology Acceptance Model
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